Christian books on addictions & relevant topics
The following books are some of the ones we recommend. a lot of thought goes into recommending resources, especially when it comes to addictions. Below each resource is a brief description to help you determine how it can be most helpful. many of the resources we recommend do not deal directly with addiction, but with relevant issues and topics in the world of the addict. some of the biblical themes explored: idolatry, worship, god, fear of the lord, identity, sanctification, suffering, intimacy, prayer, dependency, joy, repentance, shame & hope.
You are reading: Christian books about addiction
soft & humble by dane ortlund
what is the heart of jesus towards sinners and those who suffer? In this book, Dane Ortlund shows us from the scriptures the merciful heart of Jesus towards sinners and those who suffer. This is a great book for those who have experienced the guilt, shame, and despair of sin and wonder what God’s heart is toward them. It will also help those who struggle with legalism to learn about the character of God. Most significantly, this book helps cultivate intimacy with Jesus.
addictions: a banquet in the grave by ed welch
ed welch provides a comprehensive biblical understanding of addiction by relating what the addict experiences in light of scripture. he coined two phrases that are particularly useful. he describes addiction as a “worship disorder” and “voluntary enslavement” and emphasizes the responsibility that addicts must take, as well as the experience of being enslaved, both of which will help you understand addiction as a worship disorder. he also includes questions at the end of each chapter for yourself and questions to help someone else.
crossroads: a step-by-step guide to getting away from addictions (study guide) by ed welch
crossroads is a workbook that also comes with a facilitator’s guide and can be worked on individually or within a group context. welch provides the steps someone trapped in addiction can begin to take. he is great at meeting addicts in their experience and taking them through scriptural history as they seek to change. the book contains great questions for the addict to think about too. this is a fantastic resource to get anyone in recovery started.
steps: gospel-centered recovery by matt chandler & michael snetzer
steps is a series of video curricula with a workbook and guide for leaders. the study is incredibly comprehensive in addressing the dynamics of addiction and recovery from a biblical perspective. The study will require you to discuss it with others, which is an incredible benefit of this resource and will help people with addictions to heal and find freedom in Christ.
god’s grace in your suffering by david powlison
If you only focus on idolatry when working with addicts, you will miss an important aspect of their experience. the suffering of addicts must be understood and considered in the light of the scriptures. In this book, David Powlison helps us see how God enters into our suffering and gives us grace in our time of need. This book will help those who suffer see their suffering in a biblical framework and help them experience Christ’s love for them in the midst of their suffering.
suffering: hope of the gospel when life is meaningless
Experienced counselor and pastor Paul Tripp addresses suffering in this book with the goal of restoring hope to those who suffer and helping them trust Jesus in their suffering. this is a great book for those who are suffering and are trying to make sense of their suffering.
redemption by mike wilkerson
Using the Exodus narrative in scripture along with case studies and pastoral wisdom, Wilkerson addresses two themes addicts know all too well: suffering & idolatry. This is a great resource for those who feel overwhelmed by suffering and find themselves turning to idols (drugs, alcohol, sex, etc.) instead of finding refuge in God through Jesus. this book will help the addict experience redemption in jesus both in their suffering and in his sin.
gospel betrayal by brad bigney
While not specifically about addictions, betrayal of the gospel is about idolatry and the identification of “idols” in the heart. This book is useful for addicts because it focuses on the heart and the desires that drive addiction, helping us think about what change looks like at the heart level. This book is primarily for Christians who are in the process of becoming involved in their sinful desires. For non-Christians, a better introductory work on the Christian worldview of change would be recovering redemption by matt chandler & michael snetzer, what is the gospel? by greg gilbert or who is jesus? by greg gilbert
counterfeit gods by tim keller
tim keller addresses the idols of sex, money and power and shows how they are ultimately empty gods that do not satisfy us, while clearly pointing out where the last hope lies, in knowing christ. this book is attractive and can be read and enjoyed by believers and non-believers.
wonder by paul tripp
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Our hearts were made to be captivated by something, but because of sin, they are often captivated by things that destroy us. In this book, Paul Tripp helps us recover our “wonder” in the one he made for us and who is the only one who can satisfy us. this is a great book to help reorient our hearts around the glory of god in christ.
aspect & live for mate papa
watch and watch live is written by worship leader and artist matt papa, who helps us understand how our lives will always follow what our hearts are focused on. as we truly seek and enjoy the glory of god in the gospel, our lives will continue with true joy and satisfaction in god. This is a great book for those who have grown up in the church and struggle to experience joy and intimacy in Christ due to addiction or struggles with him.
prodigal god by tim keller
Most people are familiar with the story of the prodigal son in the bible. Many addicts who read the story can relate to the younger brother who spent his inheritance on a reckless life. In this book, however, Tim Keller helps us see that the famous parable in Luke 15 is really about God and his amazing love for younger and older brothers. This book can be incredibly hopeful for those who are unsure of what God is like, as it reveals God’s love and pursuit of us through Jesus.
31-day devotionals for the life of p&r publishing
the 31 day devotional for life is a great gift to the body of christ. These short and readable biblical counseling books cover a wide range of topics that are helpful to those who are struggling. daily devotions are not only theologically rich, but also incredibly practical. some of which we have found particularly useful for our residents & family members are:
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Addictive Habits: Changing Forever by David Dunham
pornography: fighting for purity by deepak reju
After an Adventure: Seeking Restoration by Michael Gembola
pain: walking with jesus by bob kellemen
happy: see god’s goodness for megan hill
fear others: putting god first by zach schlegel
forgiveness: reflecting god’s mercy by hayley satrom
anger: calming your heart by robert jones
anxiety: knowing god’s peace by paul tautges
the heart of addiction by mark shaw
mark shaw addresses the disease concept of addiction and considers it in light of scripture. This book seeks to bring scripture back to the forefront in treating addiction and the underlying heart problems related to it. This is a great resource for recovering addicts to read and also comes with a workbook for those interested. Mark Shaw has also written on other addiction-related topics, such as relapse prevention.
shame interrupted by ed welch
One of the results of addiction and common experiences of the addict is shame. In this book, Ed Welch compassionately engages those trapped in shame and helps them see God’s character and how He moves toward them in love and redemption. Through Jesus, those who were once trapped in shame now belong to him and are covered, cleansed, and healed by him.
when people are big (and god is small) by ed welch
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For those of us who struggle to please people and find it hard to say no to others, this book helps us see the real problem: people have gotten too big. The solution then is to learn the fear of the Lord. As God gets bigger, we will find ourselves less enslaved to the opinions and approval of others.
rejoice & michael reeves trembles
Another important theme in overcoming addiction from a biblical perspective is the fear of the Lord. It is important to help addicts cultivate a proper fear of the Lord. This will lead them to enjoy God more and will also help them avoid going back to their addiction. In this book, Michael Reeves helps us understand the surprisingly good news of the fear of the Lord.
a bright tomorrow: how to face the future without fear by jared mellinger
Many addicts struggle with hope for their future when they have caused so much chaos in their past. Jared Mellinger helps readers face the uncertainty of the future by looking to what they can be sure of: God, His word, and our ultimate security in Christ.
freedom from self-forgetfulness by tim keller
in this short booklet, tim keller helps us free ourselves from our greatest enemy: ourselves. Keller helps us see how we are prone to bring every circumstance and conversation back to ourselves, but more importantly, he shows us how the gospel frees us from ourselves and strengthens the freedom to forget ourselves.
the hole in our holiness by kevin deyoung
for Christians who are ready to engage in the battle against sin and the battle for holiness, deyoung helps us think about holiness biblically, but also provides a grace-empowered approach as you heed the call from the bible to being holy.
how people change by tim lane & pablo tripp
everyone has a belief system about how people can change. This book approaches change from a biblical perspective. this is a great resource for both those looking to change and those looking to accompany others in the process of change.
Uncompromising Sins: How To Wisely Fight Destructive Daily Habits by rush witt
this is a book designed to help you face your battle against overwhelming sin by looking to christ and the power of the gospel. This book will equip you to fight remaining sin by engaging your mind and heart in God’s Word and Christ’s promises.
a life of prayer by paul miller
Why recommend a book on prayer to addicts? most addicts eventually come to understand the concept of helplessness and admit that they have a problem and need help. Prayer is essential to overcoming addiction, and addicts must learn to depend on God and ask for help each day. Paul Miller not only teaches us how to pray in this book, but he also teaches us the joy of praying.
Who am I? by jerry bridges
Identity is an important issue for the addict. how do they see themselves in light of their addiction? In this book, Jerry Bridges helps the Christian see his true identity in Christ by looking at several different aspects of our identity in Christ. This is a great little book for recovering Christians to help solidify their identity in Jesus.
websites & blog
in addition, we also recommend the house of redemption blog and the following websites, many of which are listed on our ministry links page: ccef, acbc, biblical counseling coalition, rpm ministries, the connection of addiction, wish upon god, ligonier ministries, brad hambrick, kevin carson, rick thomas, & tim challies each of those websites has search bars and great resources on addiction and other related topics.
guest blogs by justin lakemacher, program director at house of redemption
god wishing
the gospel coalition
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